À la folie (1994) - film review

Alice is an aspiring artist living in Paris with her boyfriend, Franck, a boxer.  Her life is upturned when her sister, Elsa, unexpectedly re-enters her life after several years of separation.  Much to Franck’s chagrin, the kindly Alice allows Elsa to stay with her in her attic apartment, knowing that she has no desire to return to her cheating husband, Thomas.  Immediately Elsa starts to repay her sister by playing a cruel mind game, in which she tries to persuade Franck that Alice is dangerously insane...

Acclaimed feminist director Diane Kurys ventures into new territory with this uncomfortable melange of romantic drama and psychological thriller, a daring attempt to explore the complexities of the relationship between two estranged sisters.  Whilst Kurys’ perspective of female bonding and menage-à-trois game-playing is, as ever, insightful and well-developed, her efforts are sorely abused by her casting decisions.  Anne Parillaud may have been stunning in the role of Nikita in Luc Besson’s 1990 thriller, but she appears frankly bored and unconvincing in Kurys’ film.

Fortunately, Béatrice Dalle just about manages to save the film and Kurys’ efforts are not entirely wasted.  Dalle’s ability to play slightly unhinged or emotionally traumatised women convincingly has made her one of France’s most respected and sought after actresses.  In this film, she manages to give a powerful and engaging performance, in spite of the somewhat artificial nature of the plot, some poor scripting, and being saddled with a supporting cast who appear to be acting in an altogether different kind of film.

© James Travers 2003

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